Given name & surname · also English
Vaughn
“the little beloved one”·“one who is small”
Vaughn is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “the little beloved one” (English) and “one who is small” (Welsh). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “the little beloved one” (English) and “one who is small” (Welsh). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with English and Welsh naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1881. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Vaughn through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 22,484
- 21,364 boys · 1,120 girls
- Most popular year
- 1949
- 385 babies
- 2025
- 204
- #1,153 for boys · #5,902 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −14%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 90% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 183 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,153 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 15.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 374 in 1949. It also appeared in 21 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (24). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 14,855 as a first name in 2020; 83,826 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Vaughn’s family of names
Vaughn has a related form in Vaughan. Vaughn has a related form in Vaun. Vaughn has a related form in Vaunne.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Vaughn
- Vaughn MonroeAmerican singer (1911–1973)
- Vaughn ArmstrongAmerican actorborn 1950
- Vaughn TaylorAmerican actor (1910–1983)
- Vaughn JefferisNew Zealand equestrian (born 1961)
- Vaughn BodēAmerican underground comics and graphic design artist (1941–1975)
- Vaughn MeaderAmerican comedian, musician, and impressionist1936–2004
- Vaughn WalkerAmerican judgeborn 1944
- Vaughn De LeathAmerican jazz singer (1894–1943)
- Vaughn ChipeurCanadian figure skaterborn 1984
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Vaughn, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Avon
“of the river”
>99% boys
Don
“from of Donald, meaning”
>99% boys
Gordon
“from the great hill; a hero”
>99% boys
Wayne
“one who builds wagons”
>99% boys
Truman
“one who is loyal”
>99% boys
Gary
“one who wields a spear”
>99% boys
Alan
“one who is precious” · “resembling a little rock”
>99% boys
Dan
“he judged”
97% boys · 3% girls